Day: April 24, 2024

Ghanaian rapper Medikal has touched down in London, gearing up for his much-anticipated performance at the Indigo O2 arena scheduled for May 30.

The energetic hitmaker from Ghana started his journey on April 23, accompanied by his entourage and popular bloggers.

Social media was abuzz with clips capturing Medikal’s warm reception upon arrival at Heathrow Airport.

Upon his arrival at the airport, he was greeted by traditional dancers and fans.

Other videos showcased the rapper engaging with his team, setting the stage for the upcoming event.

Dancehall star Shatta Wale will be performing alongside Medikal, as well as a star-studded lineup featuring Joey B, Kwesi Arthur, Efya, and Bisa Kdei. Headie One and Kojo Funds from the UK drill scene are also expected to make an appearance.

With a dedicated following and a repertoire of chart-topping tracks, Medikal is ready to deliver a show-stopping experience.

In anticipation of the concert, fans of the ‘Too Risky’ artiste in Ghana and the UK are being called up
on to come out in full force to make the concert a night never to forget.

Source: Ghana Web

Some music lovers in Ghana have raised concerns over what they have observed as the ‘fading away’ of the rap genre in Ghana.

They pointed out that aside from one or two Ghanaian rappers producing mainstream rap, many opt for singing or a combination of singing and rapping.

Explaining the reasons behind such a phenomenon, Ghanaian rap sensation, Elom Adablah, aka EL, said the low attention span of many Ghanaian music consumers is a reason for the low patronage and production of pure rap music in Ghana.

In an interview with Hitz FM on April 24, 2024, EL claimed that many consumers would prefer fast-paced, catchy music over wordy lyrics in their music.

He stated that this trend, which is common in many West African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, has led to many rappers switching to singing in an attempt to capture a wider audience.

‘The markets we are in now, the attention span is very, very, very small. In my opinion, nobody really has the time to listen to a lot of content, a lot of words, within
the song. I believe that in this ecosystem in which we’re in right now, people just want to have fun.

‘A lot of people just want to listen to a catchy song, catchy lyrics, and a danceable tune. That is the ecosystem in which we are in Ghana, in Nigeria, and in West Africa in general,’ he said.

The 2016 VGMA Artiste of the Year winner contrasted this with the case of South Africa, which has a vibrant rap culture.

‘The rap thing doesn’t really have a foothold here as much as it does in, for example, South Africa, because they have actually built the industry around the rap narrative and they have a market for it,’ he said.

He, however, added that a rap culture exists in Ghana, but it was too small to make any major impact on the music market.

‘We have a market for rap here, but I don’t think the consumers of hip hop in Ghana, real rap in Ghana, would subscribe deeply to any type of rap coming from Ghana. It’s just a few of us. And the ones that you see out there purportedly doing rap music are not really h
ooked into the rap community in Ghana.

‘So there’s a community in Ghana that appreciates hip hop music, real rap music. But I don’t think you see them coming out to do too much because it’s not a big deal in Ghana. It doesn’t have a foothold here in Ghana,’ EL added.

Source: Ghana Web

Budding Ghanaian musician Agyeiwaa Stella Ofosu, affectionately called Mysstel in the music circles, has released the much-awaited video for her song Paradise.

‘Paradise’ written and produced by multiple award-winning Ghanaian musician and producer Kuami Eugene of Rock Star Made It fame has enjoyed massive rotation and airplay since its release recently.

The video directed and shot by Cassidy is a reliving of the lyrics of the song which urges ladies to give their male partners the treatment of a lifetime.

‘Paradise’ released under Oracle Entertainment, is a tale of two lovers who are geared for the rollercoaster journey into the future regardless of the challenges.

According to Mysstel, love is not one-sided, and it is about time ladies make their male partners feel special, adding that ‘this means going all out for him like he will do for you regardless.’

‘You need to let them know you love them, they deserve to be taken to special places, let them see the best part of you, take them to your paradise,’
she said.

Mysstel is optimistic she has something unique that will help her break into the Ghana music industry and later take the world by storm.

Source: Ghana Web

The Tourism Society of Ghana (TOSOGHA) recently convened with the Tourism Minister Designate, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, to discuss their ongoing initiatives and campaigns aimed at bolstering domestic tourism, particularly among the youth.

During the meeting, TOSOGHA representatives led by the Board Chairman, Ahmed Nahman, highlighted several key projects, including the revitalization of Tourism Clubs in educational institutions, the Liberty Card Project, and the National Youth Skill Acquisition and Training Scheme.

These initiatives are designed to ignite interest in Ghana’s rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions among the younger generation.

In a promising development, Minister Designate, Mercer, pledged the full support of the Ministry of Tourism towards TOSOGHA’s endeavors. This endorsement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism growth and development within the country.

Among those present at the meeting were top management staff and board members of TOSOGHA, who
expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts between the society and the Ministry of Tourism.

With the Ministry’s backing, TOSOGHA aims to further amplify its efforts in promoting domestic tourism and empowering Ghanaian youth to explore and appreciate the wonders of their own country.

Source: Ghana Web

Nigerian social media entrepreneur Clara Chizoba Kronborg has broken the world record for the longest interviewing marathon with a time of 55 hours and 24 seconds.

The previous record was 37 hours 44 minutes by Rob Oliver (USA) in 2022.

Clara, who hosts a talk show on YouTube, interviewed 90 people of various nationalities and occupations, including politicians, business owners, content creators, actors, real estate agents and many others.

The conversations were centred around how each guest achieved success in their respective field.

Clara grew up in relative poverty in Onitsha, Nigeria, which fuelled her fascination with the concept of success.

She said: ‘This record attempt was about bringing together diverse individuals, sharing their inspiring narratives, and forging meaningful connections on a global scale.

‘I am committed to amplifying voices, particularly those of hardworking women, and using their stories to inspire others facing similar challenges.’

Clara’s record attempt took place on a dock
ed yacht in the Spanish city of Marbella, where she currently lives.

In addition to the usually sunny harbour being struck by a heavy rainstorm, Clara faced several difficulties during her record attempt.

She says her voice became ‘very hoarse and rusty’ but she avoided losing it by drinking lots of water.

As with all ‘longest marathon’ record attempts, Clara accrued five minutes of rest time after each hour of interviewing; only during these breaks was she permitted to nap, change her clothes, or go to the bathroom.

So, to compensate for the large volume of water she was consuming, Clara wore adult diapers throughout her record attempt.

‘Even worse, my period started the same day, and I was already having intense menstrual cramps,’ she revealed.

‘At some point, I was literally dripping pee and period stain, but I persevered and kept my eyes on the goal. To anyone who ever reads this, once you find your purpose, go after it with everything you’ve got.’

Clara also suffered neck and back aches, which her
team relieved with massages during her rest breaks.

She struggled with sleepiness at multiple points but says she gained a ‘battery recharge’ every time she began interviewing a new guest, as she was eager to hear their story.

uring all the hardships was worth it for Clara, who says it feels ‘surreal’ to now hold this world record.

‘Recalling everything I went through physically, mentally, financially, emotionally – it feels so unreal,’ she said.

‘I am extremely proud of this accomplishment because I know lives have been touched and changed.

‘This achievement is dedicated to all those who dare to dream and persist, regardless of the challenges they face.’

Source: Ghana Web

Media personality Serwaa Amihere has broken her silence regarding an incident where an intimate video involving her was leaked online.

Amihere shed light on the circumstances surrounding the release of the said video, which according to her dates back to five years ago.

‘On April 2, 2024, someone posted an intimate video of me on the internet. This came almost 5 months after threats and extortion, along with efforts by the police to bring the extortionists to book.

‘The video (which was made 5 years ago has severely embarrassed me, my family, and my loved ones. It has also exposed my employers and the businesses and brands I represent to embarrassment.

‘Additionally, the video has been a source of frustration to all who have been my support, inspiration, and encouragement throughout my journey in the media,’ part of her statement said.

She explained that despite efforts by law enforcement authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice, the video still found its way online, causing embarrassment to her
family, and her support network.

She expressed regret over the repercussions of the leaked footage, acknowledging the strain it has placed on her personal and professional life.

‘At the time, 5 years ago, I considerably underestimated the extent of my influence, my potential, what I would become, and what I would come to represent to this society.

‘Sincerely, I say sorry for the embarrassment, disappointment, and frustration which this matter has caused to my family and loved ones, to the distinguished businesses and brands I represent, and to you.

‘In all, I have learnt deeply useful lessons for the future,’ she added.

Meanwhile, three individuals allegedly responsible for circulating the said video are facing legal repercussions from the Ghana Police Service.

Identified as Edem Saviour Ketti, Candylove Kwakyewaa Ababio, and Henry Amponsah, also known as Henry Fitz, the trio faces multiple charges related to sexual extortion and the dissemination of private visual content.

The charges brought against
them include conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, as outlined in Section 23 (1) of the Criminal Offenses Act 1960 and the Cybersecurity Act 2020.

Additionally, they are accused of sexual extortion under Section 66(1) of the Cybersecurity Act 2020.

Source: Ghana Web

You must have seen Akan queens rocking a uniformed low haircut, with a thick black dye forming the shape of a calabash on their foreheads, and wondered what is represented.

Typically styled by queens belonging to the Akan tribe, particularly the Asantes, this particular hairstyle is known as the Dansinkran. It is an indigenous haircut that has existed for over twenty (20) decades.

The hairstyle, worn by ‘female kings’, queen mothers, and some priestesses within the Akan jurisdiction is said to symbolize authority and royalty.

What is its origin?

Although there are several twists to the inception of this hairstyle, there are two most prevalent stories.

The first story detailed that Nana Kwaadu Yiadom II, the queen mother of the Asante Kingdom and sister of Nana Prempeh I, once performed the regal ‘Adowa’ dance during the Asante Confederacy’s restoration and the ‘Dansinkran’, then ‘Kentenkye’ hairstyle, was first spotted on her.

The reigning Governor at that time was said to have referred to her hairstyle
as a “dancing crown” because of its aesthetic appeal during the dance.

Afterward, the term “dancing crown” was verbally altered into ‘Dansinkran’, which has since become its name today.

In the second story however, during the 1824 Katamanso war when the British joined forces with other tribes to defeat the Asantes, the ‘Dansinkran’ hairstyle, then known as ‘Gyese Nkran’, was introduced and worn by the Asante women to mourn the Asantehene who died in the war.

It is, however, unknown why it was labeled ‘Gyese Nkran’.

Its significance

Aside from representing power and wealth, the ‘Dansinkran’ hairstyle distinguishes the queen mothers and women of the royal family from other people.

Although in recent times, other women wear Dansinkran, the queen mother’s style is exceptional because they work on their hair daily, whereas other women wear it only on special occasions.

Some customs associated with the hairstyle

The ‘Dansinkran’ hairstyle is usually adorned to pay homage to dead Akan royals (kings and queen
s).

In the event of death, royal women not adorned in Dansinkran are not allowed to file past the dead bodies of kings or queens.

The transitioning into a modern day ‘sweat hairstyle’

The Dansinkran hairstyle, usually meant for royals and the elderly, has stood the test of time.

In recent times, the youth has embraced it and created a ‘modern look’ known as ‘Sweat’.

The difference is that the ‘Sweat’ is a unisex style and is also not done with the shiny dark mixture applied to the hair.

Some traditional brides nowadays also rock the Dansinkran hairstyle to meet their husbands and in-laws.

What is the thick black dye in the haircut made of?

The thick black dye spotted at the edges of the haircut is made up of a mixture of charcoal soot from a cooking pot or fire lamp, and shea butter.

It is believed that the dye used on the hair enhances the thinking capabilities of the wearer.

A GhanaWeb feature written by Elsie Lamar

Photo credits: Ansah Ken Photography, Inno Lens, Yaw Opare Photography

Research
tools: ciafe.org, GMB-TV3

Source: Ghana Web

Nigerian comedian, Parrot Mouth, has alleged that Funny Face has breached a contract between them by failing to perform at his event after receiving payment.

According to him, Funny Face was booked to perform at a comedy show in Nigeria and was paid half of his performance fee (undisclosed), prior to the event.

Narrating further, he disclosed that Funny Face later demanded full payment before he could perform and they agreed to the arrangement.

However, Parrot Mouth said his manager later claimed that the Ghanaian comedian was not patient enough to wait for the full payment before breaching their deal.

He said they met at an event, where he (Parot Mouth’s manager), asked Funny Face to wait for the full payment to be made but later realized that he had left.

Parrot Mouth said Funny Face failed to show up at the main event and has since not reached out to refund the earlier half payment.

He also said Funny Face has since refused to answer calls or return them.

‘We paid half of the money. The artiste came
to the backstage area, and we all had fun. Then the artiste manager said, ‘You have to pay the balance.’ We promised that we would give his money to him before he climbed the stage. So, they [Funny Face and his manager] should just give us ten minutes.

‘Before Tosca [Parrot Mouth’s manager] came down, Funny Face had left. So, we had to call him more than 50 times, he didn’t pick up the call, and I didn’t even call him for a refund or write to him for anything. Because I believe that whatever you do will catch up with you,’ he said while speaking in an interview with Hitz FM and monitored by GhanaWeb.

Funny Face, however, is yet to respond to these allegations.

Funny Face’s ‘No Show’ allegations come on the back of ‘JamRok Event Center’s act of suing Mr. Drew, for failing to perform at their programme after being paid.

Source: Ghana Web